Dental matrix band



Aug. 19, 1952 H. A. BAUGHAN 2,607,117

DENTAL. MATRIX BAND Filed April 20, 1951 Patented Aug. 1.9, 1 9522,607,117 M DENTAL MATRIX BAND Vrvlerbf'eirt Baughan, Mount live, N. C.

Application April zo, 1951, seriaiNo. 222,120 n v 113mm.l (o1. sages) iY' This invention relates to a method of filling teeth and apparatus forcarrying the method into effect.

The invention is more particularly concerned with a methodof restoringthe 'corners of front upper and lower teeth, and a primary object of theinvention is to provide a method whereby the corners of teeth arerestored with maximum efficiency as well as with greater facility on thepart of a dentist.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel matrix band forconfining plastic filling material to a broken tooth at an incisal anglethereof, and also for shaping such filling material whereby minimumsubsequent shaping thereof is required.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent inthe course of the following detailed description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a side elevational View of the improved matrix band.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the band as observed in theplane of line 2-2 on Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top edge view of the band.

Fig. 4 is a partial front elevational view of a set of upper front teethand showing the folded matrix band in position for application of theplastic lling to the tooth engaged by the bend in the band.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan View of the teeth in Fig. 4 and showing thefolded matrix band in substantially closed position after the plasticlling has been applied.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view substantially in the plane of line6-6 on Fig. 4.

Fig. '7 is a vertical sectional view substantially in the plane of line1-1 on Fig. 4, but showing the folded band closed.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, the improved matrix band, bywhich the improved method of filling or corner restoration is carriedout, is represented at I0, and same is of elongated generallyrectangular form and may have the three-sided end formation as indicatedat I I, but which is not essential to the efficiency of the band.

The improved matrix band is very flexible and strong and same ispreferably constructed from stainless steel .002 of an inch thick and fgof an inch wide. While the stainless steel band has been found mostsatisfactory, the invention is not limited thereto, since the band maybe formed of certain transparent plastic materials or resins.

The bamiV lo, which. is illustrated rm substring tially oversizethicknessfor' greater'clarity,l l is pressed out adjacent its upperedge` and.` intermediate its ends in a relatively longzone`l asindicated at I2, and which pressed-out 'formation provides a tooth bitingedge engageable shoulder I3 for a purpose later referred to.

In the use of this novel matrix band, same is inserted between a toothT, which is to be operated upon, and an adjacent tooth T', and the bandis pushed in between such teeth' to a distance limited by engagement ofshoulder I3 with',

the biting edge of tooth T. The band is folded on a transverse lineintermediate its ends in the provision of wings IIi8L and Illb and afold IOG,

and such folding is preferably done prior to the insertion of the bandbetween the teeth T and T'.

With the band thus positioned, a small wooden peg I4 is inserted betweenthe teeth T and T in a position adjacent the gum and in contact with theouter edge of the band at the bend Il)c therein for holding the bandfirmly against the tooth T to prevent flow of the filling material ontothe patients gum intermediate the teeth T and T'.

With the peg thus applied the band is held in firm position between theteeth, as a first step in the improved method of filling or restoringthe incisal angle of a broken tooth T.

In the second step of the method, the band wings Ia, lub are separated(Fig. 4) sufficiently to admit introduction of the filling material intoa cavity in the tooth or a cavity defined by the surface of a brokencorner on the tooth and the curved fold portion Iii of the band.

In the third step of the method, the band wings Illa, Ib are grasped bya thumb and finger t, f (Fig. 5) and pressed toward each other, therebybringing the shoulders I3 on the opposed wings into overlying relationto the biting edge of the tooth T and with the wings adjacent the bendII)c accurately confining and shaping the filling material to asubstantially accurate incisal angle for the tooth. l

The band wings are held under pressure for an interval of approximatelyfive minutes to allow hardening of the filling material. After hardeninghas taken place, the peg I4 is withdrawn and the band removed and whichmay be straightened out and retained for another similar operation.

Due to the substantial flexibility of the band it will readily conformto the surface of the tooth from the gum to the biting edge thereof and,as shown in Fig. 7, the shoulders I3 will not only 3 limit inwardmovement of the band but will also act to shape the biting edge of thecorner restoring filling material F.

In Fig. 6x the band is indicated in its accurate encircling relation totooth T and as confining the corner lling F.

The improved matrix band may be readymade for average cases, and fewcircumstances would present themselves wherein it would be necessary toalter the contour thereof to secure proper adaptationto the cavitymargins.

The improved matrix band is well adapted for use with lling materialsincluding cement, porcelain, or plastic acrylic, and it is ideal in usewith the plastic acrylic which is the choice material at present in use.

While I have disclosed my invention in accordance with a single specificembodiment thereof, such is to be considered as illustrative only, andnot restrictive, the scope of the invention being :dened in thefollowing claim.

What I claim and desire to :secure by yU. S. Letters Patent is: Y A

A matrix .bandv .for use 'in restoring the ineisal angles .of lbrokenfreut teeth, cemprsne a rela- 4 tively long generally rectangularflexible body member formed of relatively thin material, the body memberhaving a relatively long zone adjacent one edge thereof and intermediatethe ends thereof displaced laterally and providing a laterallyprojecting tooth edge-engageable shoulder extending longitudinally ofthe body member and inwardly of said edge a distance equal to the widthof said laterally displaced zone.

HERBERT A. BAUGHLAN.

REFERENCES CITED The vfollowing references are of record in the iile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

